Upland Martial Arts Center

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Two weeks until the May 2nd Tournament.
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LONG POST about the UMAC and other programs. Choosing a martial arts program and other schools marketing strategies.
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What makes a good dojo and value for your money?
Most martial arts programs tailor their advertising to justifiy and promote what they do and how they do it.
Let me address some of the things brought up by other programs.
Most of the schools that I know offer private lessons in addition to the group classes. We offer private lessons and have for over 30 years. That is not unique to any program.
All of our (and most) instrcutors at schools and programs are background checked through the DOJ. Anyone who has any dealings with city classes or homeschools is required to be background checked. While important, this is not special or unique.
Liniage in martial arts is not as important as the quality of instruction. Tracing your history back a hundred years doesn't mean much if your teaching and style is outdated.
Being part of an orgainzation is good and bad. The bad parts are the higher fees because they are required to pay for the use of the name. Higher prices because of the websites and advertising.
You get what you pay for. Totally. If you are paying $150 a month for 2 classes a week, you are paying in part for their advertising and their building. Thats what you pay for and is not a reflection on the quality of instruction.
Here are some of the things the Upland Martial Arts (a family owned and run dojo in Upland for 30 years) does.
Uniform is free when you enroll in our regular classes.
No unfirom should ever cost more than about $40 and includes the belt. Anyone who says their uniform is a "$80 value" or more, is not being honest.
Our tshirts are $10-$15 dollars. No concert pricing here! In my humble opinion, no shirt should EVER cost more than $20 (for any shirt - anywhere)
All of our classes are "unlimited". We reccomend 2 classes per week but there are 5 days a week of regular classes to choose from and you are invited to come as often as you like.
Saying you have a liniage and then saying you have a hybrid martial arts that encompasses the best of everything is a bit silly. Traditional styles are by definition unchanged. You can't have both. UMAC teaches a style of karate based on sh*to-ryu and shorin-ryu. We are a modern and evolving system designed to teach qulity martial arts to kids and adults.
Our certified black belt instructors teach every class. Between our senior instrcutor staff we have over 150 YEARS of experince.
UMAC is one of the oldest most established dojos not only in Upland but in the entire Inland Empire. There are very few schools that have been around for the 30+ years that we have. What does that mean? Well, not much other than our longevity proves our reputation of creating confident, talented martial artists. If we "handed out belts" or were a "McDojo" we wouldn't still be here.
We do not have contracts (or belt programs or any other way contracts are disgusided). All of our classes are month to month. We want students to stay forever but we are not going to trap you here. We earn you as a student every month.
We do tournaments. They are not required but we think they are a postive expereince for students. Are tournaments are $40 fo compete (all events) and NO spectator fee. Compare this against $100+ for some events. Yes, ours are smaller but we always run on time and the focus is on the competition and fellowship not the trophies and money.
Our tuition is $125 a month for our unlimited classes. Yes - I posted our tuition on-line. Why should it be a secret that you have to come in to find out? We are less expensive then many (not all) because we want anyone and everyone who wants to train to be welcome.
I am mentioning prices because it bothers we when I see other schools say they are giving you a $500 value for $150 or whatever. Thats simply not true. If you offer a program for $150, its a $150 value - its that simple.
We don't mind doing a trail class for potenital students. We will put them directly into the class they would attend. Check it out and you decide. No "summer specials" or "mother's day value packs" or anything like that. We don't need to trick or entice you to join. Our classes, reputation, longevity and quality instrction speaks for itself.
Are we unique? No, other schools do many of these same things.
Are we the "best"? - depending on your definition but again, I think our logevity and the quality of our students speaks for itself.
Do we win awards? Yes - we have won all the same awards that all the other schools have (for what thats worth)
All are welcome to come join our family dojo.
We do not disparage other schools. We make no claims about our system or being the best. Come in and see for yourself.
Its not always about the money - we're to help guide and create confident, quality martial arts students.
If your school talks trash about other programs - shame on you. Thats not how you get business and is against the princples of martial arts. Do better.
Their are many quality martial arts programs around. Make your decision based on the finicaial commitment, the avialablitiy of classes, and maybe most importantly the connection with the instructors.
Whatever school you choose - I wish you success and happiness in your martial arts journey.
This concludes my sales post for the decade. Lol!
Be well and sorry for the typos!
Sensei Chris Pellitteri
Senior Instrcutor
Upland Martial Arts

SAVE THE DATE:
We are inviting black belts from all invited schools to compete. We are looking for epic black belt divisions.
Even if you haven't competed in a while - its time!
Forms - Weapons - Sparring.
Sign-ups open soon

Just a reminder.
NO CLASSES Today or Tomorrow.
We are back to our regular schedule starting FRIDAY JANUARY 2.

Don't forget our FEBRUARY 7th, 2026 TOURNAMENT.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

The North American Nunchaku Association is proud to annouce our 2025 Hall of Fame inductee
Sigit Pramono
For excellence in craftsmanship and contributing to the art of the nunchaku with amazing work on the creation of nunchaku.
Congratulations and Thank you!

Check out our November Tournament Shirt.
HAUNTED MANSION themed.
Limited number avialable
Open to order for anyone who would like one
$10 with tournament registration
$15 without tournament registration
Sign-up now!

ATTENTION RANCHO CUCAMONGA
We are excited to start a new limited program through the city recreation department.
This is a martial arts class for SENIORS (62+) and will be paid for by a state grant and is free to Rancho citizens (62+)
Sign-ups go live on the rancho cucamonga community site on October 17th.
Please share and feel free to contact us with any questions!
Golden Warriors Karate is a karate program designed for Seniors (62 and older).
Taught by seniors, this class will cover the basics of martial arts without the risk of injury from sparring or aggressive contact.
Structured for the solo practitioner, this class will emphasize movement, stretching, forms and self-defense.
This class is hosted at the fully equipped (including floor mats) Upland Martial Arts Center and is taught by seniors Sensei Chris Pellitteri and Sensei Bill Chapman.
Dress comfortably in a T-shirt and sweats or shorts.

Thank you for helping!

After two years without the domain name www.uplandmacenter.com
is back!
Visit our websites
www.karateinupland.com
www.uplandmacenter.com
www.usakobudo.com
www.totalnunchaku.com

North American Nunchaku Association NUNCHAKU INSTRUCTION Learn Nunchaku Techniques and Forms on DVD Earn a Black Belt in the Nunchaku